Unit 2 Flashcards
Complications from burns
CONTRACTURES, infection, shock
When doing dressing changes for burns always remeber to use
sterile technique
Cherry red mucosa is a tell tale sign of
Carbon monoxide posioning
How would you propritize tx after a massive trauma?
- Airway
- Other injuries
- Burns
How to prevent contractures?
ROM
Dietary considerations for Burn pts
High calorie high protein
Herniated nucleus pulposus
herniated disc
Pt presents with severe pain, muscle spasms, numbness/tingling, decreased reflexes, or sciatic nerve pain…What do you suspect the dx is?
Herniated disc
tx for herniated disc
RICE 1-2 days heat after 2 days medications ultrasound tx PT for back strengthening exercises swimming PT Chiropractic care surgery when laying on back use pillow to elevate legs to take pressur eoff back
If a spinal cord injury is suspected to be incomplete you know what about their condition?
That it cannot be fully assessed until the swelling goes down
Complications associated with a spinal cord injury
PRIORITY IS AIRWAY
spinal shock
neurogenic shock
muscle spasms
What to remember when a pt is taking prednisone?
they need to be tapered off of it
most common muscle relaxer used amongst SCI pts.
baclofen
Used to help tx low blood pressure (think SCI pt’s
dopamine
Nursing interventions for pts with a spinal cord injury
pt is a fall risk
assess bladder
prevent pressure ulcer
pt presents with sudden onset of HIGH BP, has a distended bladder, has a spinal cord innjury at T6…what could be the diagnosis
Autonomic dysreflexia
If autonomic dysreflexia is suspected what should be done FIRST
Raise the HOB
If a spinal cord injury is suspected what is the PRIORITY action?
Do NOT move them unless they are in immediate danger. Wait for EMS to come with stabalizing equipment
What is the usual first sign of infection in older adults
confusion
What is a major sign of parkinsons disease
resting tremor
A pt with parkinsons usually has trouple reading but does better writing why?
Resting tremors eases up with intentional movement
Nursing care for pt’s with parkinsons
Fall risk drug therapy (sinamet) PT A lot of emotional support neurosurgery electrical implants to shock and block tremors
Drug that enhances the delivery of dopamine to the brain cells. Used to tx the symptoms of parkinsons
sinemet
A parkinsons comes into the ER and daughter states since taking her new meds the pt presents with GI complications, palpitations, urinary retention, behavioral changes, severe nausea, vomiting, increased gambling, sexual binge or compulsive eating or other intense urges what do you suspect?
Sinemet toxicity
Why should sinement pts report leasions to their PCP
it can cause a malignant melinoma
The spontaneous separation of an incision (often abd), involved separation of the layers beneath the skin as well
Dehiscence
A pt has just experiencenced dehiscence of his abd incision. What is the first thing you do?
Cover with a wet sterile dression or cloth
Protrusion of an internal organ through the incision
evisceration
Pt presents with:
T: >100.4 F <96.8 F.4 F RR: > 20 HR: > 90 WBC: < 4,000 or >12,000 or > 10% bands PCO2: <32 mmHg—low bc of hyperventilation
What do you suspect?
SIRS
Pt presents with:
T: >100.4 F <96.8 F.4 F RR: > 20 HR: > 90 WBC: < 4,000 or >12,000 or > 10% bands PCO2: <32 mmHg—low bc of hyperventilation confirmed or suspected infection Change in LOC decreased platelets elevated leukocytes elevted lactate increase in pain
sepsis